Anterior spinal instrumentation and method for implantation and revision

ABSTRACT

A system and method for anterior fixation of the spine utilizes a cylindrical implant engaged in the intradiscal space at the cephalad and caudal ends of the construct. The implants are cylindrical fusion devices (10) filled with bone material to promote bone ingrowth and fusion of the disc space. An attachment member (40) is connected to each of the fusion devices (10) and bone screws (30) having similar attachment members (33) are engaged in the vertebral bodies of the intermediate vertebrae. A spinal rod (50) is connected to each of the attachment members using an eyebolt assembly (53, 54, 55). In a further inventive method, a revision of the construct is achieved by removing the fusion devices. Each fusion device is engaged by an elongated guide member (62) over which a cylindrical trephine (70) is advanced. The trephine (70) has an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the fusion implant and includes cutting teeth (72) for extracting a core (84) of bone material around the fusion implant. The trephine (70) and guide member (62) are removed along with the bone core (84) containing the fusion implant (10). The trephine (70) is also used to extract a bone dowel from a solid bone mass to be inserted into the space left by the removed bone core (84).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a spinal instrumentation system utilizingelongated members extending along the length of the spine and attachedto multiple vertebrae by fixation elements, such as bone screws. Inparticular, the invention concerns anterior instrumentation, togetherwith a surgical technique for implanting the instrumentation. Theinvention also contemplates a surgical revision technique for thisspinal instrumentation.

Historically, correction of spinal disorders and treatment of spinalinjuries was approached posteriorly, or namely from the back of thepatient. Initially, the anterior approach to spinal instrumentation,that is from the front and side of the patient, was not favored, due tothe unfamiliarity of this approach to spinal surgeons and due to thefear of severe complications, such as neurovascular injury or compromiseof the spinal cord. However, in the face of some reported difficultiesin addressing correction of thoracolumbar and lumbar scolioticcurvatures from a posterior approach, surgeons sought anterior forms ofcorrection and stabilization. One such technique was developed by Dwyerin Australia during the 1960's in which a staple-screw construct wasapplied to the convex side of the scoliotic curvature. The screws wereconnected by a cable and correction was obtained by applying compressiveforces at each instrumented level. The anterior spinal compressionproduced tensile forces within the cable which in turn generated acorrective bending moment at each of the vertebral levels.

On the heels of Dwyer's success, other anterior instrumentationfollowed. Further, surgeons began to recognize that certain spinaltreatments were best approached anteriorly, rather than posteriorly.Anterior approaches give direct access to the intervertebral disc spacefor anterior release and interbody fusion. Presently, common indicationsfor anterior instrumentation include: lumbar scoliosis with deficientposterior elements; thoracolumbar curves with extreme lordosis;paralytic thoracolumbar scoliosis requiring both an anterior and aposterior fusion; thoracolumbar spine trauma, such as burst fractures;and degenerative conditions of the vertebral body. In the case of burstfractures, it is known that neurocompression occurs from the anteriordirection. Further, anterior debridement of fracture fragments isfrequently believed to be a more effective means to decompress thespinal canal, as opposed to known posterior techniques.

Since the initial Dwyer instrumentation, many anterior plate and rodsystems have been developed, such as the systems of Dunn,Kostuik-Harrington, Zielke and Kaneda. Many of these systems permitdynamic distraction of the vertebrae followed by direct compression ofimplanted bone graft contained within the resected disc space and afterdecompression of the neural elements.

Many of these anterior systems can lead to complications. Some of themore prominent problems that have occurred involve failure of thefixation components, and an often high incidence of loss of reduction orcorrection. Many of the difficulties in this respect can be traced tothe vertebrae instrumented at the end of the construct where the loadson the instrumentation are the greatest. In some cases, bicorticalpurchase of vertebral body screws has been found to assure a more solidfixation at the ends of the construct and to protect againstdislodgement of the screws. There does, however, still remain a need foran anterior instrumentation that can provide adequate correction ofspinal deformities and that can be easily implanted. In addition, thesystem must ensure a strong fixation that will not deteriorate over timeresulting in a loss of correction.

In some cases, it has been found that revision surgery is necessary,even when following the best possible surgical implantation of theinstrumentation. Frequent indications for revision of spinalinstrumentation include extension of existing instrumentation, andreplacement of failed implants. In the cases involving early spinalimplants, revision required cutting away the spinal implants. As implantdesign became more sophisticated, capabilities were developed forrevision surgery that was relatively safe to the patient andnon-destructive to implants, particularly those implants that wereintended to be retained.

In systems using bone screws, revision surgeries can significantlycompromise the vertebral body. In addition, in certain anteriorapproaches where stronger fixation is essential, revision procedures toreplace failed components may necessarily compromise the new construct.

In view of these difficulties, there is a need for a spinal fixationsystem that is readily suited for revision surgery. Specifically, thesystem must be suitable for the addition or removal of components by wayof revision without sacrificing either an existing construct oreliminating the possibility of implanting a new, more stable construct.In addition, there is a need for revision techniques that permitcomplete removal of a construct once fusion has occurred, again withoutcompromising the spine or the implants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address these needs, the present invention contemplates a method foranterior fixation of the spine commencing with a thoracoabdominalexposure of the spinal segments to be instrumented. In the preferredembodiment, fusion devices are implanted within the cephalad and caudaldisc spaces after a total discectomy. The fusion devices are configuredto contain bone growth material to promote bone ingrowth andconsequently fusion of the instrumented disc spaces. These cephalad andcaudal fusion devices serve as anchors to ensure a stable and solidanterior construct.

In accordance with the method, bone screws are engaged within thevertebral bodies of the intermediate vertebrae. Preferably, the bonescrews are variable angle screws having a cancellous threaded portionthat is long enough to engage both lateral cortices of the respectivevertebrae. An attachment member is provided having a head portionconfigured substantially similar to the head portion of the variableangle screw. In the preferred embodiment, eyebolt assemblies are used toattach and fix the head portions of the variable angle screws and theattachment members to an elongated spinal rod. The rod is positionedposteriorly of the head portions and is offset from the longitudinalaxis of the fusion implant. It has been found that this anterior systemand surgical technique provides a more reliable and completedecompression of the spinal canal. The use of the fusion devices asanchors at the ends of the construct renders this anteriorinstrumentation a viable alternative to address spinal conditionspreviously reserved for treatment from a posterior approach.

The system in accordance with one embodiment utilizes a threadedcylindrical fusion implant that is placed between or threaded into theendplates of the adjacent vertebrae. The implant can be filled withmorcellized autologous bone to promote fusion through the implant andbetween the vertebral endplates. One end of the fusion implant islaterally disposed and accessible for placement of an attachment member.In one embodiment, the exposed end has a threaded opening for receivinga threaded post of the attachment member. In accordance with one featureof the present invention, the attachment member also includes a headportion that is configured substantially similar to the head of the bonescrew engaged in the intermediate vertebrae. The head portion defines aslot for receiving the body of an eyebolt assembly, and includes apattern of radial serrations. The head portions of the fusion implantattachment members and the bone screws are engaged to the spinal rod bya variable angle connection member comprising an eyebolt, nut andsplined washer. The attachment member provides a significant benefit inthat it adapts a known fusion implant to appear and behave as a bonescrew with enhanced rigidity and fixation.

In another aspect of the invention, a surgical technique for revision ofthe spinal instrumentation is contemplated. More specifically, therevision technique is applied to removal of a cylindrical fusion implantfused in an intradiscal space. The revision technique relies upon aguide member connected to the fusion implant in situ. A cylindricaltrephine is concentrically disposed over the guide member foradvancement to the implant site. The trephine has an inner diameterslightly larger than the outer diameter of the fusion implant.

With the fusion implant held by the guide member, and the member guidingadvancement of the trephine, the trephine is rotated so that its cuttingteeth progressively cut around the fusion implant and into the vertebralbone. Once the cutting teeth of the trephine is advanced past the end ofthe fusion implant, the trephine is withdrawn, leaving an excised coreof bone surrounding the fusion implant. The guide member is used tofinally extract the fusion device and its surrounding bone core. Thisdefect can then be exactly filled with an appropriately sized bone plugor dowel. Preferably, the same trephine is used to obtain the bone plugfrom a solid bone mass, such as the iliac crest.

It is one object of the present invention to present a novel method foranterior instrumentation of the spine. A further object resides infeatures of the anterior technique and the implant system itself thatprovides a rigid and secure fixation of the spine, especially at thecephalad and caudal extremes of the system.

Another object is to provide a system that can capitalize on benefits ofan intervertebral fusion device serving as an anchor to the system.Other objects and the significant benefits of the present invention willbecome apparent on consideration of the following written descriptionand the accompanying figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a view from the anterior aspect of a portion of the spineshowing cylindrical fixation devices according to the present inventiondepicted in partial cross-section and implanted within a vertebral bodyand intradiscal spaces.

FIG. 2 is a view of the portion of the spine shown in FIG. 1 withadditional components added to permit engagement of the fixationelements to an elongated rod.

FIG. 3 is a view of the portion of the spine shown in FIG. 2instrumented with a spinal rod extending between the three vertebralmotion segments.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a hollow screw and rodengaging elements as used in the construct depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of instrumentation configured for removal ofa cylindrical fusion implant disposed between adjacent vertebrae as partof a revision technique in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view of a portion of the vertebral column depicted in FIG. 1showing use of the instrumentation of FIG. 5 for removal of a hollowscrew.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the removal instrument with the hollowscrew engaged thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated inthe drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. Itwill nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended, such alterations and furthermodifications in the illustrated device, and such further applicationsof the principles of the invention as illustrated therein beingcontemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to whichthe invention relates.

Referring now to FIG. 1, initial steps of the surgical techniquecontemplated by the present invention are illustrated. In particular,the invention contemplates anterior fixation of several vertebralsegments, identified as vertebra vertebrae V₁ -V₄ and their adjacentdiscs D₁ -D₄. This anterior instrumentation could be used, for instance,to correct a lumbar scoliosis condition followed by fusion of theaffected vertebral levels. Initially, the lateral aspects of thevertebral bodies are revealed by way of a thoracoabdominal exposure. Adiscectomy can be performed on each of the disc spaces D₁ -D₄, sincethese motion segments will be eliminated by the permanent stabilizationimplants.

Using calipers, the distance of the cortices of the intermediatevertebral bodies is determined to assess the length of the bone screw tobe placed laterally into the vertebra. In this instance, theintermediate vertebra V₂ is instrumented with a variable angle screw 30.A preferred variable angle screw is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No.5,261,909 to Dr. Chester Sutterlin, et al., which is owned by theassignee of the present invention. The disclosure of this '909 Patent isincorporated herein by reference as it pertains to the description ofthe variable angle screw 30 and its engagement to a spinal rod. For thepurposes of the present disclosure, the variable angle screw 30 includesa bone engaging portion 31 or threaded shank which is sized topreferably span the distance between the cortices on the lateral sidesof the vertebral body V₂. The screw 30 includes a head portion 33 whichdefines a slot 35 for receiving an eyebolt body therethrough. The headportion 33 also includes a plurality of radial splines 37 formed thereonfor interdigitation with a corresponding washer to be discussed below.

In the illustrated embodiment, only four vertebral levels areinstrumented. Consequently, the top and bottom most disc spaces D₁ andD₄ are instrumented with a hollow screw that is configured to enhancethe degree of fixation to the adjacent vertebrae. In particular, thehollow screw includes a first portion in the manner of a cylindricalimplant 10. Preferably this implant 10 is a fusion device that permitsbone ingrowth for fusion and permanent fixation. In accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, this cylindrical implant10 is a threaded spinal implant as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,247of Dr. Gary Michelson. The disclosure of this implant in the '247 Patentis incorporated herein by reference. Other fusion devices arecontemplated, such as the interbody fusion device of Dr. Kozak describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,364, which disclosure is incorporated herein byreference. This Kozak device, and other fusion devices, can be modifiedfor lateral introduction into the intradiscal space for implementationin the present inventive surgical technique.

For purposes of the present invention, the cylindrical implant 10defines a hollow interior chamber 12 which can be filled with bone graftmaterial or bone chips. A plurality of apertures 14 are defined throughthe implant to communicate with the hollow interior to permit tissueingrowth. A threaded end cap 15 encloses an open end of the implant toallow the implant to be filled and retain bone chips in the hollowinterior chamber 12 prior to implantation. The exterior surface of theimplant 10 includes bone engaging threads 16 formed thereon which areconfigured to be screw-threaded into the end plates of the adjacentvertebrae. The cylindrical implant 10 has a rear surface 18 which isexposed laterally when the implant 10 is threaded into the disc spaceD₁. This rear surface 18 defines a threaded opening 20 therethrough.Further details of the construction of this preferred cylindricalimplant can be gathered from the '247 patent.

The cylindrical implant 10 can be implanted between the two pairs ofadjacent vertebrae in the manner disclosed in the '247 Patent, whichtechnique is described at cols. 9-10 and is incorporated by reference.Once the site has been prepared in the disc space, an insertion rod 23having a threaded post 25 can be engaged to the threaded opening 20 inthe rear surface 18 of the implant. A guide member 27 concentricallysurrounds the insertion rod, with the rod specifically passing throughbore 29 in the guide member. The insertion rod 23 and guide member 27are used to drive each of the cylindrical implants 10 into theirrespective intradiscal spaces D₁ and D₄. Again, further details of themanner of implantation of the hollow implant 10 are disclosed more fullyin the '247 Patent. It is understood that other similar intradiscalimplants could be utilized, providing that the implant includes athreaded opening at its rear surface, such as the threaded opening 20 ofrear surface 18, or some equivalent thereto. For example, the Kozakinterbody fusion device of the '364 Patent incorporated above can bemodified to include a similar threaded opening at a lateral face of thedevice.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the instrumented segments are seen with thehollow implants 10 fully disposed within the disc spaces D₁ and D₄.Likewise, the variable angle screw 30 is fully inserted into thevertebral body V₂. Preferably, the screw 30 sits with the screw head 33flush against the lateral surface of the vertebra.

At the opposite anchoring ends of the construct, at disc spaces D₁ andD₄, an attachment head 40 is engaged to each cylindrical implant 10.Specifically, the attachment head 40 includes a base 42 from whichprojects a threaded stem 44. The threaded stem 44 is adapted to engagethe threaded opening 20 in the rear surface 18 of the cylindricalimplant 10. The attachment head 40 includes a head portion 46 which issubstantially similar to the head portion 33 of the variable angle screw30 described above. In particular, the head portion 46 includes aneyebolt slot 47 and is equipped with radial splines 48 on one surface ofthe head portion. Each of the cylindrical implants 10 receives acorresponding attachment head 40.

Preferably, the head portions 46 of the attachment heads 40 and the headportion 33 of the variable angle screw 30 are maintained in a straightline from the cephalad to the caudal ends of the instrumented segments.With the surgical approach of the present invention, it is not necessaryto use specific derotation or screw placement techniques to produce alordosis in the instrumented segments. Instead, as provided in the nextsteps of the procedure depicted in FIG. 3, a rod 50 is contoured at acurvature C to produce the lumbar lordosis or thoracic kyphosis in thesagittal plane. Generally, the rod 50 will be contoured to conform tothe scoliotic curvature with the rod arranged on the concave side of thecurvature. Once the rod has been contoured, it is attached to each ofthe head portions 33 and 46 by way of a splined washer 52 and connectionmember, preferably in the form of an eyebolt assembly. As shown in FIG.3, the eyebolt assembly includes a body 43 which extends both throughthe splined washer 52 and through the slots 35 and 47 in the respectivevariable angle screw head portions 33 and attachment head portions 46.These details of the eyebolt construct are shown more clearly in FIG. 4.It is also recognized that this same eyebolt attachment assembly isdescribed in the '909 Patent, which has been incorporated herein byreference.

Referring to FIG. 4, it is seen that the attachment of the head portion46 of the attachment head 40 is achieved with the splined face of thehead portion facing toward the rod 50. The splined washer 52 is disposedbetween the rod and the splined face of the attachment head 40, moreparticularly with its corresponding splines interdigitating with thesplines 48. As discussed more fully in the '909 Patent, theinterdigitating splines allow the rod 50 to be oriented at a variety ofangles in the sagittal plane relative to the attachment head 40. WhileFIGS. 1-3 depict the fixation screws as being generally parallel to eachother for clarity, in reality the head portions 33 and 46 will beoriented at different angles in the frontal plane, depending upon thecorrected spinal curvature.

The eyebolt assembly itself includes an eyebolt body 53 which includesan aperture for receiving the spinal rod 50. A portion of the eyeboltbody 53 projects through the splined washer 52. Extending from the bodyis an threaded eyebolt stem 54 which receives a nut 55. Tightening thenut 55 on the stem 54 clamps the entire construct together, namely therod 50, the splined washer 52 and the attachment head 40. A similareyebolt arrangement is used to engage the variable angle screw 30 to thespinal rod 50.

At this step of the procedure, each of the eyebolts is tightened enoughto seat the rod and the screw heads, while still allowing the rod torotate within the apertures of the eyebolt assemblies. A hex end 51 isprovided on the rod 50 so that the rod can be rotated while stillattached to the variable angle screw 30 and the hollow screws 10.Rolling or rotating the rod in this manner translates the predefinedscoliotic curvature into the sagittal plane to produce the requisitelordosis at the instrumented vertebral segments. Once the rod has beenrolled to its proper position to produce the lordotic curvature,segmental decompression or compression can be applied to further correctany deformity in the frontal plane. It has been found that instrumentingthe vertebral bodies from this anterior approach typically results in amore complete and reliable decompression of the spinal canal than withother approaches, such as a posterior instrumentation. Once theappropriate disc heights have been restored, along with the propercurvature in the frontal and sagittal planes has been achieved, theeyebolts are tightened to firmly clamp the rod 50 to each of thefixation elements attached to the spine.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the spinal rod is offsetfrom the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical implant (i.e.--the axisextending through the threaded opening 20). Preferably, the spinal rodis positioned posteriorly to the head portions to which the rod isattached. This placement allows the eyebolt stem and nut to faceanteriorly toward the abdominal cavity and away from more sensitiveregions. (It should be noted that for clarity the head portions depictedin FIGS. 1-3 have been shown rotated 180° from this preferredorientation.)

Preferably, each of the hollow implants 10 is filled with morcellizedbone graft material, such as autograft. Moreover, at the surgeon'soption, the remaining disc space can also be filled with morcellizedbone material. One object of using the hollow apertured cylindricalimplant 10 and the bone graft material is to induce fusion across theintradiscal spaces. Once fusion occurs, the cylindrical implants 10which provide the anchor at the opposite ends of the construct will bemore rigidly secured to the spine than other known bone screwconstructs. It is believed that the use of the fusion implant 10 at theintermediate vertebral segments is not essential, since the loads arenot as harsh in the intermediate portions than at the ends of theinstrumented vertebral segments.

In specific embodiments, the variable angle screw 30 can be 5.5 , 6.5 or7.5 mm cancellous screw. The cylindrical implants 10 can have an outerthreaded diameter of between 10 mm-24 mm. Further, 1/4 or 3-16 inchdiameter rods can be used, together with appropriately sized eyeboltassemblies. It is of course understood that the length of the threadedcancellous portion of the variable angle screw, as well as the diameterof the cylindrical implants 10 is determined by the geometry of theparticular instrumented vertebral segments. It is contemplated that thepresent inventive surgical technique can be used at all levels of thespine with appropriately sized implants.

It has been found that even with the best preoperative planning somerevision of the fixation construct may be required. In addition, failureof the construct before fusion is complete may also necessitate acomplete or partial revision of the implant. In some instances, therevision entails cutting away the spinal rod 50 and unthreading each ofthe bone screws engaged into the vertebrae. With the present inventiveanterolateral approach and instrumentation, a more refined revisiontechnique and instrumentation is available. Using the present construct,removal of the rod is made extremely simple and reduced simply to thestep of loosening the eyebolts attached to each of the head portions atthe various vertebral segments. The variable angle screw 30 is readilyremoved by unthreading the screw from the vertebral body V₂. At thecephalad and caudal ends of the construct, the attachment heads 40 areunscrewed from their respective cylindrical implants 10. To this point,the revision procedure is relatively simple. However, difficulties canarise in removing the cylindrical implants 10 from their respectiveintradiscal spaces D₁ and D₄. Removal of the implants is particularlymore difficult if bone ingrowth has occurred between the vertebral endplates and the hollow anterior 12 of the implant.

Removal of these fusion implants 10 is one important feature of thenovel revision technique of the present invention and the associatedrevision instruments 60. The instruments 60 include an alignment rod 62which has a flared end 63 with a threaded post 64 projecting therefrom.The threaded post 64 is configured to engage the threaded opening 20 inthe rear surface 18 of the cylindrical implant 10. In the revisionprocedure, the alignment rod 62 is engaged to the cylindrical implant 10by way of the threaded post 64 and threaded opening 20.

With the alignment rod 62 so positioned, a trephine 70 is advanced overthe rod. The trephine 70 includes a tubular cutting end 71 which definesa plurality of jagged cutting teeth 72. Preferably, the cutting teeth 72are of known configurations for cutting through cortical bone as thecutting end 71 is rotated in the proper direction. The cutting end 71further defines a plurality of depth markings or rings 74 which can beused to determine the depth of the trephine 70 in the intradiscal space.The trephine 70 includes a rotation collet 76 at the proximal end of thetrephine which is concentrically disposed around the tubular body of thecutting end 71. The proximal end of the trephine also defines a drivingboss 78 which is configured to receive a conventional driving tool orsuitable wrench for rotating the cutting end. Finally, the nearmost endof the trephine 70 includes an alignment rod clamp 80 which is used toclamp the proximal end of the alignment rod 62 concentrically receivedwithin the trephine.

Referring to FIG. 6, it can be seen that the alignment rod 62 is engagedwith the cylindrical implant 10 disposed in the disc space D₄. Thetrephine 70 is advanced over the alignment rod 62 until the cutting edge72 contacts the vertebrae bodies V₃ and V₄. Rotation of the trephinecauses the cutting teeth 72 to bore out a core 84 of bone materialsurrounding the cylindrical implant 10. The core 84 can then be removedtogether with the implant 10 by first withdrawing the trephine 70 andthen pulling the alignment rod to remove the entire assembly. In FIG. 7,the cylindrical implant 10 is seen supported by the alignment rod 62 asthe entire revision instrumentation 60 is withdrawn from the surgicalsite.

The depth markings 74 can be used to either limit or determine the depthof insertion of the trephine. In its depth limiting function, the depthof the distal end of the cylindrical implant is already known and iscorrelated to a particular one of the depth markings. The trephine isthen advanced into the vertebrae until the appropriate depth marking isaligned with the vertebral body. The markings 74 can also be usedinteractively when the insertion of the trephine is monitored underindirect vision. Once it is seen that the cutting edge 72 of thetrephine has passed the end of the cylindrical implant, the appropriatedepth marking can be noted. Once the implant has been extracted, thenoted depth marking is then used to determine the proper size of bonedowel to be extracted from another location to be inserted back into theintradiscal space.

Once the core 84 of bone and the cylindrical implant 10 has been excisedfrom the disc space, an exactly fitted plug or dowel can be reinsertedinto the remaining bore. The trephine 70 can be used to core out bonefrom the patient, such as at the iliac crest, which can then bereinserted using the same trephine. Once the trephine is removed, theadjacent vertebrae will collapse around the newly inserted bone plug.This bone dowel will retain the disc height and again permit fusion atthe revision site. Moreover, once fusion occurs, the site of the boneplug may be strong enough to support new spinal implants.

The present revision technique carries a significant advantage in thatit allows use of hollow cylindrical fusion implants at any positionalong the construct. It has been found that the use of fusion implantsenhances the rigidity and strength of the fixation. This same increasedrigidity and strength makes ordinary surgical revisions difficult orimpossible to do without causing serious damage to what may be anotherwise healthy vertebral body. Use of the trephine 70 in accordancewith the present technique eliminates this risk and permits easy andquick removal of the threaded cylindrical implant, even where fusion hasoccurred.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and thatall changes and modifications that come within the spirit of theinvention are desired to be protected. For example, in the preferredembodiment of the anterior instrumentation technique a hollowcylindrical fusion implant is used to support the attachment heads forengagement to a spinal rod. However, other intradiscal implants ofvarious configurations may be used provided that the implants permitbone ingrowth. Further, while a spinal rod is disclosed, otherlongitudinal fixation elements, such as spinal plates, may be utilizedin performing this inventive anterior technique.

With respect to the revision technique disclosed herein, the preferredembodiment of the procedure is performed in connection with thedisclosed anterior instrumentation. However, the same revision procedurecan be used to remove other fusion implants in other settings, withappropriate modification to the trephine to accommodate variations inimplant configuration. This inventive technique has particularapplication, however, in removing fusion implants that engage theendplates or cortical bone of the vertebral body.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for anterior fixation of a spine,comprising the steps of:performing a thoracoabdominal exposure of thesegments of the spine to be instrumented with fixation implants;implanting a fusion device into at least one of the cephalad and caudaldisc spaces; engaging an attachment member to each fusion device, theattachment member being configured for attachment to an elongated memberto extend along the spine; and fixing the elongated member to eachattachment member.
 2. The method for anterior fixation of the spine ofclaim 1, wherein:the step of engaging an attachment member includespositioning the attachment member laterally to a vertebral body.
 3. Themethod for anterior fixation of the spine of claim 1, further comprisingthe step of positioning the elongated member posteriorly to theattachment member.
 4. The method for anterior fixation of the spine ofclaim 1, further comprising the steps of:implanting bone screws into oneor more vertebrae intermediate the cephalad and caudal disc spaces; andattaching the bone screws to the elongated member.
 5. The method foranterior fixation of the spine of claim 1, further comprising the stepof implanting a fusion device into the other of the cephalad and caudaldisc spaces.
 6. The method for anterior fixation of the spine of claim1, wherein the fusion device is hollow and is filled with bone growthmaterial prior to the step of implanting the fusion device.
 7. Themethod for anterior fixation of the spine of claim 1, further comprisingthe steps of:contouring the elongated member to conform to a normalsagittal plane curvature of the segments of the spine to beinstrumented; attaching the elongated member to the attachment memberswith the contour of the elongated member lying in a frontal plane; andwith the elongated member attached to each of the attachment members andbefore the step of fixing the elongated member, rotating the elongatedmember such that the contour of the elongated member lies in thesagittal plane.
 8. A system for anterior fixation of the spinecomprising:an elongated member configured to extend along a portion ofthe length of the spine, said member having a first end adjacent acephalad vertebra and a second end adjacent a caudal vertebra; acylindrical implant sized to be disposed in the intradiscal spaceadjacent at least one of said cephalad and caudal vertebrae, saidcylindrical implant defining an interior chamber for retaining bonegrowth material and one or more apertures communicating with saidinterior chamber, said implant having a rear surface accessible fromoutside said intradiscal space when said cylindrical implant is disposedtherein, said implant further having a longitudinal axis extending awayfrom said rear surface; an attachment member connected to said rearsurface of said cylindrical implant, said attachment member having ahead portion for attachment to said elongated member adjacent the atleast one vertebra; and a connection member rigidly attaching saidattachment member to said elongated member at a location offset fromsaid longitudinal axis of said cylindrical implant.
 9. The system foranterior fixation of claim 8, whereinsaid cylindrical implant defines athreaded opening in said rear surface; and said attachment memberincludes a threaded stem for engagement to said cylindrical implant atsaid threaded opening.
 10. The system for anterior fixation of claim 8,wherein said head portion and said connection member have mutuallyinterdigitating splines to permit rigid attachment of said cylindricalimplant to said elongated member at variable angles.
 11. The system foranterior fixation of claim 8, further comprising a number of bone screwsengaged in the vertebral body of corresponding vertebrae, each of saidnumber of bone screws having a head portion for receiving a connectionmember to rigidly attach the bone screw to said elongated member.